St. Thomas CBP Nabs Two Wanted U.S. Citizens at Airport

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the St. Thomas Cyril E. King Airport Pre-Clearance facility recently announced the apprehension of two U.S. citizens who were wanted by law enforcement officials in Missouri and Virgin Islands.

On June 8, Christopher E. Willey, 28, a U.S. citizen, presented himself for CBP inspection at the Cyril E. King Airport before boarding his flight to Miami, Florida. Upon examination, CBP officers discovered that Willey was wanted in St. Louis, Missouri on charges of failure to appear and driving under the influence. CBP officers verified the active warrant and coordinated with Miami authorities to process the warrant upon his arrival to Miami. Miami Dade Police officers met Wiley at planeside where he was arrested.

In a separate incident on June 10, Marcia McDevitt, 58, a U.S. citizen, was also identified by CBP officers during a pre-departure inspection at the Cyril E. King Airport. McDevitt had an active warrant in the U.S. Virgin Islands on embezzlement charges. During the inspection process, CBP officers positively identified the individual and confirmed the warrant for her arrest. McDevitt was placed under arrest and taken into custody by the Virgin Islands Police authorities.

“CBP is an agency committed to the security of our borders, facilitation of legitimate trade and travel, and cooperation with other law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of U.S. laws. At the pre-departure areas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, CBP officers remain vigilant in the detection of individuals that have broken our laws and attempt to defeat our justice system,” said Louis Harrigan, USVI Port Director.

On a typical day CBP processes over 932,000 international travelers arriving at 329 ports of entry across the U.S. These examinations lead to interceptions of currency, weapons, prohibited agriculture products, wanted persons or other illicit items. Travelers are encouraged to visit the CBP Travel website to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.